The New *Official 2013 Disney Princess Half Marathon Thread*

[poohbear8]

Hello everyone! Please add me to the list, I just signed up tonight! I will be there with my running buddy who flies cross country to run with me!

I will have to wait to read all of the pages until I get back from my trip. I will be heading down Thursday to run the TOT 10 miler. I have only done 2 races: Royal Family 5k in Feb and a 10k locally in July, so I am still new to this whole running thing!

 

[sherekhan]

I haven't officially registered yet, but this is my "count me in" announcement! Please add me to the list.

By way of introduction, I'll say that I'm a past Disney marathoner (15 yrs ago that seems like a million years ago) Doing this race as a last long distance run for me - I've been so far out of it, this is like starting at the beginning again - and a passing of the metaphorical baton to my 9 and 7 yr old daughters who will be running their very first races.

Here's what I'm wondering:
Is the gold ChEAR squad package worth it? Is it really so crowded now that your family would need reserved spots? Back in '97, people just sauntered up and were always right in front

and...I see it says it's $65 for the gold package. Is that for kids as well? So it would cost me $65x3 for my husband and kids? That seems like a lot.

Also, can anyone recall if the race passes close enough by the Wilderness Lodge that my family might be able to stay there and just walk out to see me run by?

 

[mahipp]

22 weeks until the Princess!
http://fromthepagetotheprincess.weebly.com/1/post/2012/09/countdown-to-the-castle-22-weeks.html

Early registration ends Wednesday. After that, the price goes up $15.
www.rundisney.com/princess-half-marathon/registration/

And, Sherekhan, here's the 2012 map

 

[ccsmith312]

Thanks for posting the map!

 

[Princess on the Run]

Here's what I'm wondering:
Is the gold ChEAR squad package worth it? Is it really so crowded now that your family would need reserved spots? Back in '97, people just sauntered up and were always right in front

and...I see it says it's $65 for the gold package. Is that for kids as well? So it would cost me $65x3 for my husband and kids? That seems like a lot.

I ended up getting the Platinum package for DH and my 3 boys. It's a ton of money but then they get a meal, drinks, climate control place to hang out, characters to meet, bathrooms, activities, etc. I was basically thinking that if I'm asking DH to watch 3 little boys at the crack of dawn on his own while I go "play" this was a good option to make it easier for all of them. Plus, I am sure the kids are going to be going nuts wanting to go to the parks because it's kind of unfortunate the way the schedule pans out for when they can FINALLY start enjoying the trip (we arrive Friday, we'll ave a few hours at MK Saturday after the kids races and before the 4:45 ADR but needing to get to bed that night means the first REAL day at the parks won't be until Sunday after the race. This gives them "Disney stuff" to do to make it easier on them (and DH!).

And since I bought race retreat for myself, this will kind of be like brunch for all of us, so we don't have that expense to account for.

I went back and forth on the issue...as you can probably tell but decided to do it. I am funny like that thought. I will never spend $10 per person for SWA's EBCI but I will spend $99 per person for platinum chear squad.

 

[sherekhan]

Thank you for that map. That makes it very clear!

 

[saysay]

I am subscribing to this thread. I haven't signed up yet for the princess, but I really want to! I'm nervous that I won't finish or I won't be fast enough and will get "swept away". . I am not a runner, but I think I could learn. I ran/walked yesterday for about three miles and thought I was going to DIE! Lol! I don't know if I can do this! I want to train for a couple of weeks and then time my pace before I decide to sign up. Am I a chicken or what? ;-)

Good luck! I have finsihed 2 times. I have not been running and last week did 3 miles it was NOT easy I am out of shape. BUT I KNOW I need to just pick a program stick with the training plan and be ready.

We both have plenty of time!

 

[sherekhan]

I ended up getting the Platinum package for DH and my 3 boys. It's a ton of money but then they get a meal, drinks, climate control place to hang out, characters to meet, bathrooms, activities, etc. I was basically thinking that if I'm asking DH to watch 3 little boys at the crack of dawn on his own while I go "play" this was a good option to make it easier for all of them. Plus, I am sure the kids are going to be going nuts wanting to go to the parks because it's kind of unfortunate the way the schedule pans out for when they can FINALLY start enjoying the trip (we arrive Friday, we'll ave a few hours at MK Saturday after the kids races and before the 4:45 ADR but needing to get to bed that night means the first REAL day at the parks won't be until Sunday after the race. This gives them "Disney stuff" to do to make it easier on them (and DH!).

And since I bought race retreat for myself, this will kind of be like brunch for all of us, so we don't have that expense to account for.

I went back and forth on the issue...as you can probably tell but decided to do it. I am funny like that thought. I will never spend $10 per person for SWA's EBCI but I will spend $99 per person for platinum chear squad.

Thanks for that. Boy, I can see how it would be totally worth the value if it rains or something...for them and for me I think the kids would like to have the access to the characters. I know DH would like to have access to good bathrooms!!! It's all about what you value

A few other questions:

Are there so many people in the race retreat that the lines are really long for characters?

Are there princess characters in there?

Does the race retreat have real bathrooms or just a private area of portapotties?

Thank you!

 

[sherekhan]

Ok, just dropped a whole lot of money on this thing. I'm running the Princess 1/2, DD9 and I are running the Royal 5K, and DD7 is running the 400m. It's really real now when you tell your credit card company about a bunch of non-refundable purchases!

 

[cjnix29]

Ok, I have a question. If I book a race package through Disney for a two night stay, will I be staying in a room with other people? I am going with my family, and I am the only one running. So not sure if that price is for more than single occupancy. I am still trying to figure all this out, as it's my first one and am trying to figure travel plans.

Thanks!

 

[smileyk8]

I am loving reading these comments and feel so excited every time I read another one of you guys has signed up.

I have one barrier left and then I'm booking my place and that plane! Unfortunately I am due to start a new job with another University course that is supposed to be intense... surely I can have a week out though.... right? I'll work harder I promise

 

[Lynn5700]

Hey, I have a transportation question. I'm driving down to Disney, so will it be easier to drive to the Half, or just use Disney's transportation? Thanks.

 

[ColleenG]

Hello everyone! Please add me to the list, I just signed up tonight! I will be there with my running buddy who flies cross country to run with me!

I will have to wait to read all of the pages until I get back from my trip. I will be heading down Thursday to run the TOT 10 miler. I have only done 2 races: Royal Family 5k in Feb and a 10k locally in July, so I am still new to this whole running thing!

Have a great time and fun race at ToT! The medal looks awesome!

 

[ColleenG]

Hey, I have a transportation question. I'm driving down to Disney, so will it be easier to drive to the Half, or just use Disney's transportation? Thanks.

If you are staying Disney property, using the bus maybe easier. Last year I know there were a lot of traffic issues. The buses seemed to have an easier time getting to the start.

 

[mickeysgal]

Officially signed up tonight!

 

[the_princess]

I finally got through this tread and are now ready to announce: I have signed up for PHM. I'll fly in from Europe with my mom. We'll be staying at POR. This will be my first Disneyrun but my third half.
So please add me to the list, so I can start my planning :-D

 

[VickiHD]

I finally got through this tread and are now ready to announce: I have signed up for PHM. I'll fly in from Europe with my mom. We'll be staying at POR. This will be my first Disneyrun but my third half.
So please add me to the list, so I can start my planning :-D

Welcome !!!!!!

I'm just wondering...how long will your flight take ??

 

[KristinU]

Hey, I have a transportation question. I'm driving down to Disney, so will it be easier to drive to the Half, or just use Disney's transportation? Thanks.

I think it might depend on where you are staying. We stayed at Fort Wilderness when I ran in 2011 and I drove over with no problems.

 

[the_princess]

Welcome !!!!!!

I'm just wondering...how long will your flight take ??

It will take a couple of hours from Denmark to Iceland and then 9 hours to Orlando... It's a long trip But because of the time difference, it will be quite easy for me to get up at 2.30 on race morning. We arrive on Friday evening, so I'll go to bed and get up early on Saturday. Then it should be a little easier to get up that early on Sunday.... I hope!

 

[christinascreative]

I am loving reading these comments and feel so excited every time I read another one of you guys has signed up.

I have one barrier left and then I'm booking my place and that plane!

I'm with you on all of this- getting excited to see everyone signing up. I booked my spot in the race, but still have to get the plane & place to stay. Working on getting the money for those things but it will work itself out. Not staying on Disney property unless I get a miracle from naming my own price on priceline $ is a bit tight but DH said we are going to make it work